Further questions

Eligibility

Is my child eligible for CJP Discover Day School Checks?

We encourage you to use the Eligibility Calculatorto find out if your family is eligible for CJP Discover Day School Checks. Eligibility is based on whether (1) your child is new to day school and the first in your family to attend Jewish day school and (2) you fit within the income criteria (described below).

Who is “first in the family”?

The purpose of CJP’s Discover Day School Program is to provide financial support and incentive to families who have not yet experienced all that our day schools have to offer. Therefore, this limited pilot program requires that the student receiving a CJP Discover Day School Check be new to day school and the “first in the family” to attend a Jewish day school.

The following applicants are considered “first in the family” to attend day school:

new to day school and the first child in the family to attend a K-8 day school (if the student was previously enrolled at an out-of-state day school, they are not considered new to day school)

child entering day school simultaneously with siblings (including a twin) who have not previously attended any day school (Note: only one child per family will be awarded CJP Discover Day School checks regardless of the number of children simultaneously enrolling in day school for the first time)

previous attendance at a preschool or young (4-year old) kindergarten program housed at a day school does not disqualify an applicant

*Note: A parent’s status as a Jewish day school alum has no bearing on a child’s eligibility.

What are the income criteria for eligibility?

The income criteria entail a simple calculation of your 2018 Adjusted Gross Income (reported on your 2018 taxes) minus standard deductions allowed for certain “Jewish expenses.” The final AGI, after all applicable Jewish deductions are applied, must be between $100,000 and $299,000 to qualify. Note: Jewish deductions can lower an AGI to fit within the qualifying middle tier definition. However, deductions will not disqualify an applicant if, when applied, the AGI falls below $100,000.

If you do not yet have all the information needed to compute your 2018 AGI, we recommend using your 2017 AGI on the Eligibility Calculator for an estimated initial eligibility determination, bearing in mind that final eligibility will be subject to your actual 2018 figures.

Estimating your AGI:

If your status was single on your 2017 tax return and you plan to file a joint return in 2018, be sure to add both spouses’ 2017 AGI when estimating 2018 AGI. The joint income will be the relevant number on the application.

If your income has changed substantially from 2017 to 2018, adjust your estimate accordingly.

When completing the application (by March 15, 2019) your actual 2018 AGI will need to be used. To submit an application, you will be required to provide a copy of pages 1 and 2 of both parents’/guardians’ filed 2017 IRS Form(s) 1040 (last year’s filing). NOTE: issuance of a final Discover Day School Check is dependent upon receipt of a copy of your filed 2018 IRS Form 1040 by May 6, 2019. Click Next Steps for more detailed information about the application process.

I am ineligible based on my 2018 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). What if my 2018 AGI doesn’t reflect what my income will be during the 2019-2020 school year?

If you are ineligible based on your 2018 AGI being too high/low but you can demonstrate a change (or soon to occur change) in income that is not reflected in your 2018 AGI (e.g. change of job, loss of job, increased salary), you may still apply for the program as long as the income you will be receiving for the 2019-2020 school year falls within the Discover Day School income parameters. You should make note of the change in income on your application, and attach documents that provide proof of the new income level (contract, pay stubs, etc). If approved and accepted into the program, your eligibility for the subsequent two years will be determined by the prior year’s AGI (e.g, your 2019 AGI will determine your eligibility for the 2020-2021school year).

If you experienced a one-time income event that was responsible for pushing your 2018 AGI slightly above or below the Discover Day School income eligibility parameters, or if there are other unique circumstances impacting your income eligibility, please contact Anna Leybzon (annal@cjp.org or 618-457-8748) to discuss if you meet the eligibility requirements for the program.

My ex-spouse and I are divorced. How do I compute the AGI for our child’s application?

If only one parent bears responsibility (by court order or agreement) for the child’s education, then only that parent’s AGI (household AGI) should be included. However, if both parents share responsibility for your child’s education expenses, then the AGI of both parents’ households should be combined when completing the Eligibility Calculator and application. If one of the responsible parents is unwilling to provide financial information, the applying parent will have the opportunity to include a letter with the application from the business manager of the school of choice explaining the circumstances, and the single parent’s AGI (household AGI) may be used on the application.

What are standard deductions for “Jewish expenses”?

The concept of standard deductions for “Jewish expenses” is a CJP creation – you won’t find it in the U.S. tax code! It is recognition that leading an engaged Jewish life can add substantial costs to a family, and that Jewish day school is one of many important expenses. CJP’s Discover Day School Program has highlighted a few of the likely expenses incurred by families with school age children. If and when this pilot program expands, it is our intention to include other important “Jewish expenses.”

On the Discover Day School application, a standard deduction of $3,000 off your AGI can be deducted for each of the following:

What is the standard deduction for synagogue membership(s)?

“Synagogue” is broadly defined to include any synagogue, havurah or independent minyan where dues are paid. The standard deduction for synagogue membership(s) is in recognition of the central role synagogues play in Jewish life and connection. There is a single $3,000 standard deduction regardless of the number of synagogue memberships in a family.

What is the standard deduction for Jewish preschool tuition(s)?

If you have one or more younger children who will be attending a Jewish preschool during the 2019-2020 school year, you qualify for a standard deduction from your AGI. Jewish preschool can be an important first step in a child’s formal Jewish education and a powerful connection for the family to the Jewish community. Actual expenses for Jewish preschool vary widely, depending on the number of days and hours a child attends. In addition, not all communities have extended-day Jewish preschool/day care options that working parents may require. The single deduction reflects all of these factors. There is a single $3,000 deduction regardless of how many children in your family attend a Jewish preschool.

What is the standard deduction for special education services?

If you believe your child entering day school in 2019 may require special education services, we suggest that you contact Gateways early in your admission process. With confirmation by Gateways, a standard $3,000 deduction is available for certain Gateways expenses. Please visit our Diverse Learnerspage for more information.

What is the day school tuition deduction?

The cost of multiple day school tuitions is often a difficult financial challenge for middle tier income families.

Families enrolling a CJP Discover Day School applicant plus siblings who have not previously attended day school, are eligible for an additional standard “day school tuition” deduction. For each additional sibling (up to two) who simultaneously enrolls in day school for the first time in 2019 the eligibility calculator will deduct $20,000 from the family’s AGI. This deduction will also apply for those siblings entering a Jewish high school for the first time. Like the Jewish deductions, this tuition deduction can lower an AGI to fit within the qualifying middle tier definition. However, deductions will not disqualify an applicant if, when applied, the AGI falls below $100,000. Note: only one child per family will be awarded CJP Discover Day School checks regardless of the number of children simultaneously enrolling in day school for the first time.

What does it mean if the calculator says I qualify?

If the Eligibility Calculatorsays you qualify for a CJP Discover Day School Check, it means that based upon the information you provided you are within the zone of “middle tier” income families whom this pilot program targets. The calculator does not guarantee you will receive a CJP Discover Day School Check. You must first submit a CJP Discover Day School application for verification. If you are approved, you will be issued a CJP Discover Day School Check. A CJP Discover Day School Check does not indicate that your child has been accepted to a Jewish day school. Your child will need to go through the regular admissions process at the school(s) of your choice.

What does it mean if the calculator says I am not eligible?

The Eligibility Calculator will inform you that you are not eligible for a CJP Discover Day School Check if either (1) your child is not “first in the family” to attend Jewish day school, or (2) your AGI, after applicable deductions, does not fall between $100,000 and $299,000 – this program’s definition of “middle tier income”. (For further explanation of “middle tier income” for the purposes of this program, see About us.)

Eligibility determination by the calculator is based on the information you provided, which may have included an estimated AGI. However, the final determination of eligibility will be based on your actual 2018 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and verification of deductions. If you think your AGI estimate may be inaccurate, please revisit theEligibility Calculator once you have determined your actual 2018 AGI.

If you are found ineligible there may be other financial assistance available. We encourage you to speak with a financial assistance representative at any day school you are considering. Schools base their awards on multiple factors that can determine need much more precisely than the broad-brush eligibility standards required of this pilot. You may be surprised how much help is available.

The Eligibility Calculator says that I am eligible. What do I need to do now to obtain my CJP Discover Day School Check?

Are there important deadlines to keep in mind?

Yes! Applications will become available on January 4, 2019. We encourage you to file your application early as it will be processed in the order received. Applications must be postmarked or emailed by March 15, 2019 in order for CJP Discover Day School Checks to be secured (if verified). April 8, 2019: Last day to submit CJP Discover Day School Check to your school of choice. Your Check should accompany your signed Intention to Enroll (agreement, contract or deposit, as required by school). CJP Discover Day School Checks are valid through April 8, 2019 and must be submitted to your school of choice by that date.May 6, 2019: Submission of a copy of your filed 2018 IRS Form 1040 no later than May 6, 2019 is required for CJP to reimburse your day school for the value of your Discover Day School Check.

If I miss any deadline can I still participate in this program?

Pending available funds, a waitlist will be created for applicants who apply after the April 8, 2019 deadline.

Families who do not use their CJP Discover Day School Checks by April 8, 2019 may still have an opportunity to use a CJP Discover Day School Check along with waitlisted CJP Discover Day School applicants, depending on availability and at the discretion of CJP. There is no guarantee of CJP Discover Day School Checks past deadlines.

What if I don’t have a copy of my current tax information by the deadline?

To apply for a CJP Discover Day School Check you will need to know your family’s 2018 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as is/will be reported on your 2018 IRS Form 1040. Please be sure to have your calculated 2018 AGI available before applying. The application requires you to provide a copy of all final filed 2017 IRS Form(s) 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ (pages 1 and 2 only) (last year’s filing) signed by parents/guardians. We recognize that many families are not ready to submit their 2018 tax forms to the IRS until April, therefore you have until May 6, 2019 to submit a copy of your filed 2018 IRS Form 1040.

CJPs reimbursement for the value of your Discover Day School Check to your school is dependent upon receipt of a copy of your filed 2018 IRS Form 1040 by May 6, 2019. If you do not meet any of these deadlines, you will have the opportunity to be placed on a waitlist, and additional Discover Day School Checks will be granted depending on availability and at the discretion of CJP. Applications submitted past the deadline are not guaranteed.

What if I haven’t found out my school financial assistance award by April 8, 2019?

We are working with all of the day schools to provide this information to you within this program’s timeframe. However, some schools may not be able to inform all families of their financial assistance determinations before the April 8, 2019 deadline. At that point families will need to choose between using a CJP Discover Day School Check or going on the waitlist for a CJP Discover Day School Check while they await the final school financial assistance determination.

Confidentiality

Will my information be kept confidential?

Financial Assistance from other sources

Can I apply for and accept financial assistance from my day school in addition to using a CJP Discover Day School Check?

No. Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for more financial assistance than the value of your CJP Discover Day School Check. However you must choose between accepting financial assistance (for any children in your family) from the school and using a CJP Discover Day School Check. We encourage families to apply for financial assistance. For more information on financial assistance at particular day schools, please visit individual school websites, found on the Our schoolspage.

Note that some schools have implemented additional cost saving programs designed to dovetail with the CJP Discover Day School program. In some circumstances, a family may receive both a CJP Discover Day School Check and school-based cost savings. Please see individual school websites found on the Our schools page to learn more.

What is included as “financial assistance from my day school”?

All types of financial assistance or tuition abatement provided by the school where you use your Discover Day School Check both needs-based and non-needs based, are considered financial assistance. Examples include faculty tuition discounts (not salary exclusions) and sibling discounts.

Also included is any financial assistance from the same school for other children in your family. Note: in the event that you have another child matriculating in a different day school also for the first time, accepting financial assistance from that school will not preclude use of a Discover Day School Check. For example: If you are a first-time day school family and one child is entering fifth grade at a day school and one is entering a different Jewish high school in 2019, your high school student may accept financial assistance while your younger child may use a Discover Day School Check.

Note that some schools have implemented additional cost saving programs designed to dovetail with the CJP Discover Day School program. In some circumstances, a family may receive both a CJP Discover Day School Check and school-based cost savings. Please see individual school websites found on the Our schoolspage to learn more.Note that this year some schools have implemented extensions of the Discover Day School program at their school. In some circumstances, a family may receive both a CJP Discover Day School Check and a school-based Discover Day School Check. Please see individual school websites found on the Our schoolspage to learn more.

Can I accept financial assistance from somewhere other than my day school and still use a CJP Discover Day School Check?

CJP Discover Day School Checks

How do I find out the value of my CJP Discover Day School Check?

CJP Discover Day School Checks will be accepted at the day school of your choice to cover 25 percent, up to $6,000, of your incoming student’s tuition in 2019-2020 and the subsequent two years. You can find out the specific dollar value of your CJP Discover Day School Check by contacting the day school of your choice. Click herefor a full listing and contact information for Greater Boston’s day schools. Note: CJP Discover Day School Checks cover tuition costs only, and are not applicable to any other day school fees.

How many Discover Day School Checks will I be eligible for if my child starts day school in 7th or 8th grade?

CJP Discover Day School Checks are available for students in K-8 grade only. Therefore, if your child is entering day school for the first time in 7th grade s/he will be eligible for two Checks (toward 7th and 8th grade tuition). If your child enters day school for the first time in 8th grade, only one Check will be available.

Is my CJP Discover Day School Check taxable?

Beyond Year One

How do I obtain CJP Discover Day School Checks for the subsequent two years of my child’s day school tuition?

CJP will continue to provide checks towards a child’s subsequent two years of tuition for families who receive and use a 2019 CJP Discover Day School Check provided the family continues to meet eligibility criteria. Families will be required to submit a re-verification form for the subsequent two grades, and will be contacted each year in the early spring with instructions on re-verifying for the approaching school year.

What financial support is available after the third and final year of Discover Day School Checks?

CJP cannot commit to further CJP Discover Day School Checks beyond the three-year cycle. CJP’s Discover Day School Program is completely separate from any day school financial assistance program. After the period of time that you receive CJP Discover Day School Checks, you may apply for financial assistance at your day school through the regular school process. Please see your school’s financial assistance representative for more details.

Will my entering student’s sibling(s) also qualify for a CJP Discover Day
School Check in future years?

If your child is the second in your family to attend day school, he/she does not meet the criterion of “first in the family.”

However, if you qualify now for a CJP Discover Day School Check for your first child, when your next child enrolls in day school you may actually qualify for more assistance from your school than the value of the Check.

I am considering enrolling my child in day school for the first time in 2020-2021. Will I be able to participate in CJP’s Discover Day School program?

At this point in the program, there has been no determination whether the CJP Discover Day School program will continue for entering students in 2020-2021. Please revisit this website next year for information about continuation of the program.